Correlation of postural stability with pain, disability and quality of life among patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction- A cross-sectional study.

Context-: Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction accounts for altered postural stability which can cause a continuously intense pain level and range of disabilities.

Aim: To investigate the correlation of postural stability with pain, disability & QOL among sufferers of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Setting: This cross-sectional research was undertaken at Rehabilitation Centre, Jamia Hamdard University.

Method: A total of fifty participants were recruited using sample of convenience according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. After obtaining informed consent, three pain provocative tests and one motion palpation test were used to determine sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Humac balance master system (CSMi USB powered, Stoughton, USA), Visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) & WHO QOL-BREF (US version) were used to assess postural stability, pain, disability & Quality of life (QOL) respectively. Data analysis was done for correlation by SPSS version 24.0.

Result: Strong positive correlations were found between reaction time, VAS (r = 0.791) and modified ODI score (r = 0.576) and weak positive correlations between eyes closed solid surface (ECSS) component of modified clinical test of sensory interaction & balance with VAS (r = 0.333) and with modified ODI score (r = 0.304) and eyes open foam surface (EOFS) component with environmental component of QOL (r = 0.287). There were negative correlations between reaction time, physical health (r = -0.413), psychological health (r = -0.375), social relations (r = -0.305), and environment (r = -0.379) parameters of QOL.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, there were positive correlations of reaction time with pain and disability and negative correlations with QOL. Awareness of clinicians regarding the altered postural stability can help in improvising the assessment and treatment protocols for patients of SI dysfunction.